Linn County News

Published Jan. 3, 2018

Russell Eugene Johnson, age 90, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at the Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kan. He was born Aug. 1, 1927, in Fulton, Kan., the son of Andrew Webb Johnson and Flora Gump Johnson.

While in high school, Russell began working for the railroad. He later joined the United States Navy and served during World War II. Following his service with the U.S. Navy, he returned to Kansas and worked for the Frisco Railroad, which later became the Burlington Northern Railroad. 

He married Lena Wheeler on Aug. 12, 1951, in Tulsa, Okla. 

Russell attended the Fulton United Methodist Church as a small child when it was newly built. He returned to it when he and his wife moved to Fort Scott for his work. The people there had been his spiritual, emotional and social support for many years. Each one was very dear to him. 

Russell had an interest in local history, and the Linn County Museum of Pleasanton has a display devoted to Russell and his family history in honor of the work he and his son did at the museum.

Russell also looked forward to the annual Burlington Alumni gatherings. 

After the death of his wife Lena in March of 2016, Russell moved to the Presbyterian Village in Fort Scott where he was warmly welcomed. He developed many close friendships in his short time there. 

 Survivors include his daughter, Debra Johnson-Dobrowsky and her husband Rick Dobrowsky of Olathe; and two grandchildren, Lauren and Dana Dobrowsky. 

He was preceded in death by his wife Lena; a son, Stephen Johnson; and a sister, Vinita Butler. 

 Rev. Chuck Russell and Pastor Connie Edgerton conducted funeral services on Saturday, Dec. 23, at the Fulton United Methodist Church. A graveside service was held on Tuesday, Dec. 26, at the U. S. National Cemetery in Fort Scott.

 

Memorials are suggested to Heart to Heart and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

OBITUARIES

Donna Lee (Bishop) Stites ~ 02-13-1941 to 03-26-2025

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Linn County News Published April 2, 2025   Donna Lee (Bishop) Stites, age 84, of Mound City, Kan., passed away peacefully in her sleep March 26, 2025, at the Olathe Medical Center, after an extended illness. Born on Feb. 13, 1941, the third child of Jacob and... [More]

Frank Scott DeRemus ~ 06-21-1967 to 03-04-2025

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Linn County News Published April 2, 2025   Frank Scott DeRemus age 57 of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at his home in Blue Mound. Scott was born June 21, 1967, in Olathe, Kan., to Frank Fox and Sharon K. (Chadwick) DeRemus. On August 11, 1994,... [More]

Douglas Eugene Joseph ~ 08-06-1964 to 03-16-2025

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Linn County News Published April 2, 2025   Douglas Eugene Joseph, 60, of Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Mo. Doug was born on Aug. 6, 1964, in Pittsburg, Kan., to Jean Ann Jones. He graduated from high school... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

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SPORTS

2025 Boys’ Basketball All County team

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The 2024-2025 high school boys’ basketball has concluded and it is time once again for the annual All County team. As usual choosing the team was tough as there were many good players this season and plenty more that showed steady progress through the season.  As... [More]

2025 Girls’ Basketball All County team

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High school girls’ basketball has concluded for the 2024-25 season and it’s time for the annual All County team. Like the boys’ team, and like most years, choosing players was tough. Plenty of girls from all three schools, Prairie View, Jayhawk Linn and Pleasanton,... [More]

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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

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